Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects. Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention. Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:. Some people may experience side effects other than those listed.
Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication. Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Health Canada has issued new restrictions concerning the use of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like prescription drugs. Alcohol and other medications that cause drowsiness: Alcohol and other medications that cause drowsiness, such as antidepressants, sleeping pills, anxiety medications, or narcotic pain relievers, should be avoided when you are taking diazepam.
Combining any of these medications with diazepam can result in severe drowsiness, breathing problems, and possibly coma and death.
People who have an addiction to alcohol or other medications should not take diazepam, except in rare situations under medical supervision. Dependence and withdrawal: Physical dependence a need to take regular doses to prevent physical symptoms has been associated with benzodiazepines such as diazepam.
Severe withdrawal symptoms may occur if the dose is significantly reduced or suddenly discontinued. These symptoms include seizures, irritability, nervousness, sleep problems, agitation, tremors, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, memory impairment, headache, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, and confusion.
Reducing the dose gradually under medical supervision can help prevent or decrease these withdrawal symptoms. Rebound anxiety may also occur if treatment with diazepam is stopped abruptly.
Rebound anxiety is a temporary syndrome where the symptoms that led to use of diazepam come back stronger than before. Depression: Benzodiazepine medications such as diazepam have been known to cause mood swings and symptoms of depression. If you have depression or a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking this medication, contact your doctor as soon as possible. This is particularly true when you first start taking the medication and until you find out how the diazepam affects you.
Alcohol can increase the drowsiness effects and should be avoided. Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Suicidal or agitated behaviour: People taking this medication sometimes feel agitated restless, anxious, aggressive, emotional, and feeling not like themselves , or they may want to hurt themselves or others. This behaviour is more likely to occur in children or seniors, however it can occur in other adults, particularly those with mental or emotional disorders.
These symptoms may occur within several weeks after starting this medication. If you experience these side effects or notice them in a family member who is taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
You should be closely monitored by your doctor for emotional and behaviour changes while taking this medication. Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks.
If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. Babies born to mothers who have used diazepam regularly during late pregnancy may have breathing difficulties and show signs of withdrawal when they are first born. Did you know that consuming Valium for more than four to six weeks, even under medical recommendation, raises the chances of being addicted?
What is valium? Valium is a drug given under prescription that belongs to the benzodiazepine drugs group. It also has the generic name of diazepam blue. It is also known as a miracle drug that treats various conditions, such as anxiety, panic attacks, muscle pain, muscle spasms, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcohol withdrawal, and insomnia.
Taking Valium helps people deal with the daily stresses and anxiety of life. Valium generates a calming effect and a feeling of euphoria. That is why abuse can lead to addiction. Valium addiction often begins in a relatively harmless way: people take it from time to time to cope with anxiety issues.
It is common for users to keep their valium use to themselves. That can make it hard for family, friends, and coworkers to recognise any problems that could arise. Dosage increases are widespread when you become more and more dependent on benzodiazepines pills.
The increased dependency on prescription medications makes it tough for them to conceal their abuse and hide the signs thereof. The visible and behavioural effects of heavy valium intake are similar to those of heavy drinking.
These are the most common signs that will show in valium abuse are:. It is essential to recognise the signs of overdose. If you or someone else you suspect is taking Valium in large volumes, you need to find treatment for addiction to help you live another day! Valium used correctly and under medical supervision is a godsend. Because of the way it works on the brain, it helps control and heals many conditions. Because of these effects, though, many of us abuse it. You should always follow the right dosage, or else dependency will take over your life!
If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, diazepam can be used during breastfeeding as long as you're only taking a low dose of diazepam occasionally or for a very short time. Diazepam passes into breast milk. If you take diazepam for a long time or in high doses, it can build up in your milk. This can make your baby drowsy or tired and can make it difficult for them to feed.
If you're breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, as other medicines might be better while breastfeeding, although this will depend on what the diazepam is being used for. If you do take diazepam while you're breastfeeding and you notice that your baby's not feeding as well as usual, seems unusually sleepy, has unusual breathing, or you have any other concerns about them, talk to your health visitor or doctor as soon as possible.
Some medicines interfere with the way diazepam works and increase the chances of you having side effects. Before you start taking diazepam, tell your doctor if you're taking :. There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with diazepam. Do not take herbal medicines for anxiety or insomnia, such as valerian or passionflower, with diazepam.
They can increase the drowsy effects of diazepam and may also have other side effects. For safety, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Depending on your health condition, this can make you feel drowsy, relieve anxiety, stop seizures or relax tense muscles.
Diazepam will work quite quickly or more slowly depending on what you're taking it for:. Diazepam is usually only recommended for a short period of time of up to 4 weeks.
If you're prescribed diazepam for more than 4 weeks, your dose may be reduced gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
If you're prescribed diazepam for more than 4 weeks, your dose may be reduced gradually when coming off it to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Diazepam is not likely to be addictive if you take it at a low dose for a short time 2 to 4 weeks. You're more likely to get addicted if you have, or previously had, problems with alcohol or drugs.
You should take diazepam tablets for as short a period of time as possible. If you have been taking a high dose or have been taking it for a long time, your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking it, you may occasionally experience some side effects, such as:. The risk of these side effects can be reduced by gradually reducing your dose. For anxiety, depending on your symptoms, you may need a medicine to treat your physical symptoms, as well as your psychological ones.
Your doctor will usually start you on a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI , such as sertraline , paroxetine or escitalopram. For fits, a medicine called midazolam can be used. It comes as a pre-filled syringe and is given inside the mouth between the cheek and the gum buccal cavity.
This can be used instead of rectal diazepam, which is inserted into the anus. You can discuss the different options with your doctor. They'll help you decide which medicine is best for you. Diazepam can be given as a pre-med to relax you before an operation or dental treatment that may be uncomfortable or make you feel anxious. It's important to tell your doctor or dentist if you're already taking diazepam.
Tell your doctor that you take diazepam if you're going to be put to sleep using a general anaesthetic or having any kind of major operation. Do not drink alcohol while you're on diazepam. Alcohol can increase the effects of diazepam. It can make you go into a very deep sleep. There's a risk you will not be able to breathe properly, and may have difficulty waking up. Using cannabis, heroin or methadone with diazepam will increase the drowsy effects of diazepam.
There's a risk you will not be able to breathe properly, and you may have difficulty waking up. Using cocaine or other stimulants like MDMA ecstasy and amphetamines with diazepam can also lead to drowsiness. Talk to your doctor if you think you might use recreational drugs while taking diazepam.
Grapefruit juice may increase the amount of diazepam in your blood. It's a good idea to avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking diazepam. Caffeine is a stimulant and may reduce the calming effects of diazepam. It's best not to have drinks like coffee, tea and cola because they contain caffeine. Alcohol can increase the effects of diazepam and make you go into a very deep sleep. Diazepam will not affect any contraception, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.
Some contraceptive pills can keep diazepam in your body for longer and increase its effect. You can also get bleeding in between your periods if you take diazepam and contraceptive pills together.
There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking diazepam will reduce fertility in either men or women. If you're trying to get pregnant, or you're having problems getting pregnant while on diazepam, speak to your doctor. Do not drive a car or ride a bike if diazepam makes you sleepy during the daytime, gives you blurred vision, or makes you feel dizzy, clumsy or unable to concentrate or make decisions. This may be more likely when you first start taking diazepam, but could happen at any time for example, when starting another medicine.
It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive. Even if your ability to drive is not affected, the police have the right to request a saliva sample to check how much diazepam is in your body. UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking diazepam.
0コメント